In review--Club Boniche

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World
Lili Boniche
Anthologie
World Village

Karina Feredj honored her late father, the Algerian crooner and lute player Lili Boniche with the retrospective Anthologie.  While I know little about Lili Boniche besides what I’ve read in the liner notes, the songs on this album, especially the Arab-Andalusian songs such as Ana Fil Houb sound familiar to my ears.  Have I heard these songs on Putumayo or Rough Guide compilations? Did Souad Massi cover these songs? It’s a mystery.

I can see why international audiences, especially in France and Algeria revered this singer back in the day, and even in more recent years.  He possesses plenty of style, not to mention sings in different styles and he’s a master of vocal phrasing.  The music here dazzles with snaky saxophone solos, jangling ouds, and delicious polyphonic beats.  The ballads of yesteryear still resonate today with glittering pathos and unrestrained passion.  Anyone who enjoys hearing a master musician perform the classics of his day will enjoy this retrospective. I liked the recording immediately upon hearing the opening track.

Just listen to Boniche’s  melismatic vocals laced by Jewish violin on Elli Ghir and your teeth might ache from the emotions expressed.  Bambino has an Arab-Caribbean flare with golden age percussion rippling in the background and a chorus of husky men’s voices engaging in a call & response.  N’Oublie Jamais Tes Parents aches with the sadness recalling tangos or fados in intensity.  The strings emphasize the sadness that drips from Boniche’s vocals.  Fortunately, the rousing song Alger Alger follows and just in time.  The swirling accordion on the track, contributes a Parisian appeal.  All and all, this represents a wonderful body of work that will sound perfect to a newcomer to Lili Boniche’s repertoire and his old friends.

http://www.worldvillagemusic.com


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